Celebrating the Colorado Street Bridge

Posted by Robin Goldsworthy
on Jul 17th, 2014 and filed under News.
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Music, games and more kept folks entertained who made their way to the Colorado Street Bridge Party on Saturday. The fundraiser benefited Pasadena Heritage. Musical groups included The Freelancers, Gary Foster and Donovan Muradian Quintet, Kids These Days, Mercy and the Merkettes, Stinky Felix and the Wisterians.Photos by Isiah REYES

Pasadena Heritage started the Bridge Party in 1979 with the hope of raising money to renovate the Colorado Street Bridge, which was built in 1913. The bridge was refurbished in 1993 and reopened to traffic. Because of its success, the block party style event has been held every other year since then.

“It’s a fundraiser for the preservation of the city’s architectural heritage,” said Dave Clarke, a visitor who attended the event for the first time. “There are a lot of unique buildings and structures that Pasadena has and, with development these days, you’re losing a lot of stuff that was well-built back in the day.”

Live music was presented on three separate stages throughout the event and included jazz performances by The Freelancers, Gary Foster and Donovan Muradian Quintet, Kids These Days, Mercy and the Merkettes, Stinky Felix and the Wisterians and Snotty Scotty and the Hankies.

“It’s a big gathering of people to celebrate the bridge and the fact that it got restored,” said Ron Acevedo, lead singer of the band Stinky Felix. “For us, we’re kind of known in the Pasadena area for being a dance band, so we try to primarily stick to dance type music that’s got a funky groove.”
Aside from live music, there was a variety of activities for children, including face painting, cookie decorating, crafts and coloring tables. Food was provided by Bling Bling Dumplings, Gourmet Grill Masters, Shuck It Roasted Corn and Mexican Food, Whole Foods Market on Arroyo and many more.

“I like it because I get to see a lot of people who I don’t usually see out,” said visitor Leslie Sanchez. “I like the music and the people.”

When the Colorado Street Bridge was completed, it was not only the first curvilinear bridge ever designed but also the tallest concrete bridge of its day. It is now a civil engineering landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The mission of the Pasadena Heritage is to identify, preserve and protect the historic, architectural and cultural resources of the city of Pasadena. It is the second largest historic preservation non-profit in California, having more than 2,000 members and is one of the city’s largest membership organizations, protecting the Colorado Street Bridge, old Pasadena, City Hall, the Rose Bowl, and many other historic buildings.

If tradition continues, the next Colorado Street Bridge Party will be held in 2016.